Christ Church Celebrates 150 YearsOn Sunday 11 May, the church family at Christ Church Ottershaw held a very special service and joyful celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of their church by Sir Edward Colebrooke. They were joined by a number of invited guests including Bishop Ian, who conducted the service and who was accompanied by his wife Penny. Also present were the Deputy Mayor of Runnymede, Councillor Peter Waddell, Surrey County Councillor Mel Few, relatives of Sir Edward Colebrooke, and previous vicars with their families and relatives. There were also representatives from the Ottershaw schools and a number of other local groups. Greetings were received from Upper Clyde Parish Church, Abington, which was also gifted by Sir Edward Colebrooke, and from Rev Jeff Wattley, the Rural Dean of Runnymede.
The service included the commissioning of a new red altar frontal, created by church members. The frontal has been 2 years in planning and construction and will be regularly used for services during the church year. Following the service, many people stayed on to enjoy a celebratory lunch provided. Christ Church continued to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a packed family service on Sunday 18 May. This included a quiz testing the parishioners’ knowledge of what was happening in the world in 1864, when the church was founded, such as which bridge opened to traffic in that year? (Clifton Suspension Bridge) A potted history of the church gave lots of information about the building itself, which was constructed through a donation of £4000 by Sir Edward Colebrooke. Interviews with church members gave an insight into what the church and the church family means to them today. After the service (and a good deal of moving around to get into shot), a church family photograph was taken before everyone went outside where red helium filled balloons were given out and then released en masse. It was lovely to see them floating up into a clear blue sky on a sunny day.
The next event was the burying of a church time capsule to be opened in 50 years’ time. It contained lots of items including current newspapers, a church magazine and photos of local places and people. There had also been a competition for local children to suggest items to be added to the capsule. The winners were Celine Moss, age 12 and a member of the church youth group, who suggested a mobile phone, and Luke Dowling, age 9 and from Ottershaw Junior School, who suggested his mum's weekly shopping receipt with a photo of what she had bought. The time capsule was buried by the winners with the help of Richard Roberts, of Trident Garage Ottershaw; the company helped in the project with a donation towards the capsule's cost and a miniature Honda car to go inside it. In due course, a commemorative cover will be added where the time capsule has been buried, kindly supplied by Lodge Brothers. All these activities were followed by a wonderful birthday cake and picnic in the churchyard.
In July, a Community Creative Arts weekend entitled “Let's Celebrate” will feature arts and crafts items created by local parishioners. It will run from 4th to 6th July and entry will be free, with refreshments available. Anyone who wishes to exhibit any items can find more details on the church website www.ottershawchurch.com together with information about the Wey Voice concert on Saturday 5 July and a Renewal of Marriage Vows service on Sunday 6 July. |
